Page 83 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
“I think you look beautiful just the way you are, but do as you wish.” I raised her hand to my face and pressed a kiss to her fingers, glancing up to see her blush redden. “Let’s meet at the carriage in thirty minutes, shall we?”
***
Alicia collapsed back into the carriage and rested her head against the window. “That was exhausting.”
“It was only two dresses,” I said. “You’re hardly dying.”
She sniffed. “Well, like I told you, I had a whole new wardrobe put together before I came here. Lady Isabelle would be upset if I didn’t wear any of her creations during our debut as an engaged couple.”
“Are you talking about the new Marchioness Velian?”
“Yes; she and the dowager marchioness practically locked me away in the boutique for three days. I’m still traumatised.”
“Then next time, I shall have the tailors come to the castle.”
She waved her hands. “No, no, it’s nice to get out. I’ve wanted to see the town.” She peeked out of the window and immediately sat back. “Everyone is staring at the carriage.”
“Of course. They want to see their Grand Duchess.”
“I’m not the Grand Duchess yet.”
“You’re as good as, and it’ll only be a matter of time before you are.” I reached over and drew the curtains. “There, now you can relax.”
She pursed her lips. “About that… Can we have that discussion now?”
A chill ran through the air.
I wasn’t going to enjoy this very much. “Very well.”
“Don’t forget that you promised not to get mad.”
I sat back and closed my eyes. “I’m listening.”
“I… would like to have a longer engagement.”
I was correct.
I was not enjoying this.
I opened my eyes and looked at her. “And why exactly is that?”
“Well.” She linked her fingers and rested her clasped hands in her lap. “This relief fund has made me realise there’s a lot more work to being Grand Duchess than I initially thought there would be. Ark has spent a little time explaining my duties to me, but this policy has taken more time and will continue to do so. I would prefer to take my time in learning my role and getting to know the history and people of Stein before officially taking on the role of Grand Duchess.”
Shit.
It was a valid argument, but it pissed me off.
I hadn’t gone out of my way to offer her father a deal he couldn’t refuse just to delay our marriage for Khimos knows how long.
“Haaa.” I pressed my hand to my face. “How do you expect me to argue with that reasoning?”
“Is it… okay?”
“No. If I had a choice, I would force you to sign the wedding papers right this second.” I peered at her through my fingers, and she flinched. “But you’ve made an annoyingly fair argument to the point I have little recourse to counter it.”
“I merely wish to assimilate to the role,” she said in a soft tone. “That way, if you find me lacking, we aren’t bound together in a way that would hurt us.”
I dropped my hand from my face. “Find you lacking? You’re already more competent than many of the council members. How could you possibly think I would find you lacking?”
